The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-17

haughtily. She was often called
naughty by her friends. and sometime;
laughed at by them because of it
"Oblige me by putting this on Al
once" the young man said, in voice
that had such an imperious ring that
Violet was actually surprised into
compliance. An instant more a firm
hand under her elbow had assisted her
20 her seat, and the young man had
taken his beside her, and carefully
drawn the rubber blanket around her.
Where top he said, turning and
facing her, and as he did so broke into
| a broad smile. There was nothing in
the smile but pure amusement, but,
none the less. she resented it.
40 Mrs Harper's clearinghouse,
at tlis end Of the village, if you know,
she answered. distantly.
Il do not know, l regret to say.
! Bat you will direct me, please"
Miss Dennis merely bowed in reply.
Il do not know this country at all, y
! the gentleman went on, land you, I
suppose. are almost as much stranger
to it.
/ This was uncomfortable! What right
had he to be trying TO find out things
about her? She avoided looking
toward the handsome, brown bearded
face so near to her, and answered, in a
chilling tone:
"On the contrary, l know it very
we'll"
Then you live in this neighbor-
hood?" he asked, in surprised tone.
Il beg your pardon" said Violet, Sc
verely, not that she did not understand
him, but that she wished to Intimidate
him so that he would not repeat the
question.
81 asked if you lived in this neighbor-
hood, Ter companion said, quite una
dashed, and with twinkle in his eyes
that would probably have angered her
further still, if she had deigned to meet
his gaze.
mo, do not live in this neigbor-
hood" answered the girl, icily.
a am sure the neighborhood is vast
ly the loser thereby"
Violet threw back her head with a
motion of naughty Indignation, where
at the stranger broke into a little mer-
ry laugh.
"Pray forgive me-" he said, hastily;
"but if you knew how comical that eX-
preston of lofty hauteur was in con-
junction with that rubber coat and
those tricllling feathers in your hat, you
would excuse me.
Violet looked straight before her, full
of confused and angry thoughts. That
this young man who had constrained
her into an acceptance of his escort
and protection by what she had con-
sidered convincing proof of his refine
ment and gentlemanly consideration
should, as soon as he got her in the
buggy, be guilty of such under-bred
familiarity was perfectly astounding.
She had felt instinctively at first that
she had to do with gentleman, and
had had no misgivings about intrust-
ing herself to him, and the almost inso-
lent ease of manner that he had now
assumed, made her wish that she had
kept to the rain and the mud.
At last the drive came to an end,
and it was with infinite satisfaction
that she pointed out Mrs. Harper's
house.
81 am much obliged to you," she
forced herself to say, though regret
exceedingly having trespassed on your
kindness.
Don't mention it, l beg of you,"
the young man answered, airily. l
consider myself infinitely the favored
party. assure you. l am indebted to
you for charming drive. which has
had no drawback, except its short
ness"
Well, surely! This aOaS beyond all
precedent! How could a man look so
essentially gentleman and be so i'll
bred and obnoxious? Violet was in a
rage. When the buggy stopped be-
fore Mrs. Harper's gate, the young
man kept his seat while he said:
Il hope may be permitted to learn
the name of my charming driving
companion, that may know by what
title am to cherish her in my memory.
In return let me offer my card"
He had taken out his pocket book,
and now extended a small bit of paste
board towards her; but she would not
even glance at it.
"Will you be kind enough to let me
get out?" said Miss Dennis, in a voice
of scarceIy-controlled indignation. 81
have thanked YOU for your assistance,
but / have no wish to know your name,
and certainly none to acquaint you
with mine"
And scarcely giving him time to de-
scend from the buggy, Violet sprang
past him, ignoring his proffered hand,
and ran towards the gate. Before she
had reached it, however, the words;
My coat, if you please; excuse my
men tioning it," checked her, and she
was obliged to submit to the humili-
ton of taking off the big rubber coat,
and returning it TO him. She felt that
he was smiling, but she would not
look at him. As the young man re-
ceiycd the coat, he said, gravely:
'Since you declined to read my
name. must tell it to you. Allow me
to introduce myself as"
But the young lady had by this time
turned her back, and was walking
rapidly towards the house, and he
paused abruptly in the utterance of his